Remote control depth charge pistol setting system



Feb. 16, 1965 M. E. GRES ETAL 3,169,477

REMOTE CONTROL DEPTH CHARGE PISTOL SETTING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 24, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ.

PULSE 6 POWER SUPPLY PISTOL TRANSM TTER FUNCTION a SETTING I INTERLOCK a INDICATOR SELECTOR cmcun, CONTROL CIRCUIT CIRCUIT PISTOL INVENTORS M. E. GRES G. W. WOOD N. M. SCHAEFFER TO FIG.2B.

Feb. 16, 1965 M. E. GRES ETAL REMOTE CONTROL DEPTH CHARGE PISTOL SETTING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 24, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2A.

INVENTORS M. E. GRES G. W. WOOD N. M. SCHAEFFER Z J dig/1...;

ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1965 M. E. GRES ETAL REMOTE CONTROL DEPTH CHARGE PISTOL SETTING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 24, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Illll|||||| 3,139,477 Patented Feb. 16, 1965 lie 3,169,477 REMOTE CONTROL DEPTH CHARGE PISTOL SETTING SYSTEM Marcel E. Gres, Austin, Tex., George W. Wood, Washington, D.C., and Norman M. Schaefier, Fort Worth, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Oct. 24, 1956, Ser. No. 618,162 6 Claims. (Cl. 102-16) This invention relates to a remote control system for controlling the firing of depth charges and more particularly to a remote control setting selector station for setting the pistol firing mechanism of a depth charge.

The present invention forms an important part of a system for controlling the arming of a pistol, having provision for depth firing and/or magnetic influence firing,

of an ahead-thrown rocket propelled depth charge immediately prior to the launching thereof. It is, of course, understood that the device of the present invention in addition to remotely setting the arming of a depth-charge pistol may be employed in other setting arrangements for ordnance such; for example, as fuze settings for antiaircraft ammunition or missiles and other'such uses.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved remote control station in which the manner of depth charge firing is preselected and speedily transmitted to the depth charge pistol immediately prior to the launching, or firing, thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved remote control system wherein a series of setting impulses is speedily and accurately transmitted to a depth charge pistol for presetting the depth charge to fire at a predetermined depth, and wherein additional impulses may be thereafter transmitted to the pistol to erase the setting for purposes of safety if it is decided not to launch the depth charge after setting, or, if it is desired to reset the pistol to fire at a different depth.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved remote control station wherein after a preset depth charge has been launched, the station may be speedily cleared and prepared for presetting a subsequent depth charge.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same be comes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings; wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the remote control system of this invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the pistol setting selector circuit; and

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the remote control system excepting that shown on FIG. 2A.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures, there is shown on FIG. 1 a block diagram of the remote control system as comprising a 'pistol setting selector circuit 1 for preselection of the mode, or depth, of operation of a detachable depth charge pistol 2 adapted for variable depth firing as well as target influence firing, a transmitter and indicator circuit 3 for sending the selected setting to the pistol and for visually indicating the setting transmitted to, and received by, the pistol, a function and interlock control circuit 4 for initiating any one of the three distinct operational functions of the remote control system and for preventing the simultaneous operation of the system in more than one function, and a pulse and power supply 5 for providing the required pulsating, DC. and A.C. voltages necessary for the proper operation of the remote control system.

As shown on FIG. 2A, the pistol setting selector circuit 1, includes a manually operated pistol setting selector switch 6, and an impulse selector circuit 7. The selector switch 6 consists of a pair of identical contact banks 8A and 8B, each bank having thirty-two contacts circularly arranged thereon, and adapted to be sequentially engaged by centrally disposed wiper arms 9A and 9B, ganged for movement in unison on manually rotated shaft 11. The stationary contacts on each bank are numbered consecutively from one to thirty-two corresponding to an influence, dud, and thirty depth settings transmittable to the pistol 2. Contacts 1 through 16 of bank 8A are commonly connected by conductor 16 while contacts 17 through 32 of bank 83 are commonly connected by conductor 17. All the other contacts have individual conductors connected thereto. Impulse selector circuit 7 consists of a pair of identical circuit selector switches 12A and 12B, such as, for example, a Ledex 18 position circuit selector switch, each switch including a pair of solenoid energizing selector circuits 13A, 13B, and 15A, 15B, and an impulse control selector circuit, 14A and 14B. Each circuit of the selector switches 12A and 123 includes stationary contact banks 16A, 17A, 18A and 16B, 17B, 18B, and centrally arranged wiper arms 19A, 21A, 22A and 19B, 21B, 22B, respectively, for sequentially engaging the stationary contacts, said wiper arms of each switch being ganged on shaft 23A and 23B for movement in unison. Respectively connected to wiper arms 19A and 19B are rotor blades 24A and 24B for simultaneously engaging nine contacts of bank 16A and 16B. In like man ner, rotor blades 25A and 25B are connected to wiper arms 22A and 22B respectively, for simultaneously engaging all but one of the complementary contacts on banks 13A and 18B. Detachably connected to the ends of shafts 23A and 23B are rotary solenoids 26A, 27A and 26B, 27B, as for example, a Ledex rotary solenoid, adapted to selectively rotate shafts 23A and 23B bidirectionally, i.e. clockwise and counter clockwise. One end of the coil of each rotary solenoid is connected through common conductor 102 to the power supply 5 and the other end is connected to self-interrupting contacts 28 and spark suppressor circuit 29, consisting of series connected resistor 31 and condenser 32. The other end of the spark suppressor circuit 29 is connected to a DC. potential carrying conductor 101.

Each contact bank of pistol setting selector switch 6 is electrically connected-to an associated selector circuit of the impulse selector circuit 7. The contacts of bank 8A. are connected to the contacts of bank 18A, of selector circuit 12A, by conductors 16 through 32 of cable 33A, while the contacts of bank 8B are connected to the contacts of bank 18B, of selector circuit 123, by conductors 1 through 17 of cable 33B. Corresponding contacts of banks 18A and 16A are electrically connected by conductors 1 through 17 of cable 34A and corresponding contacts of banks 183 and 16B are electrically connected by conductors 1 through 17 of cable 343. Solenoids 26A and 26B are electrically connected to solenoid energizing circuits 13A and 13B by conductors 35A and 3513 respectively, and solenoids 27A and 27B are electrically connected to solenoid energizing circuits 15A and 15B by conductors 36A and 363 respectively. Impulse selector circuit 7 is designed to provide an electrical link between the manually operated piston setting selector switch 6 and the transmitter and indicator circuit 3 to which the impulse control circuits 14A and 14B are electrically connected by cable 38. The bi-directionally rotatable arrangement of the wipers on the selector units 12A and 12B serves to minimize the time required to setup the impulse control circuits 14A and 148 to conform to the setting selected on switch 6. Referring now to FIG. 23, it will be seen that the pulse and power supply may be any one of the many conventional types will-known in the art for providing a positive DC. potential of approxim-ately 150 volts across conductors 101 and 102, a

cycle half wave pulsating DC. potential having a peak value of approximately 100 volts across conductors 103 and 102, and an AC. voltage of approximately 6.3 volts across conductors 104 and 105.

The function and interlock control circuit 4 consists of the components enclosed within the areas bounded by the dot-dashed line identified by the numeral 4, which components include norm-ally open manually operated function selector switches 41, 42, and 43, which switches are respectively designated as the pistol set, erase set, and station clear set switches. Respectively associated with each of the function selector switches are interlock relays 44, 45, and 46. Also forming a part of the function and interlock control unit 4 are Off-Normal contacts c-d-e of stepping switch 53. Interlock relay 44 consists of normally closed contacts a-b and normally open con-.

tacts c-d. Interlock relay 45 consists of norm-ally closed contactsa-b, c-d, 0-), and normally open cont-acts g-h. Interlock relay 46 consists of normally open contacts a-b, normally closed contacts c-d and contact groupings, e-f-g and h-j-k, being nor-mally closed across contacts e-f and h respectively. Interlock relays 44 and 46 are electrically connected to ganged station selector switches 47 and 48 which provide for pistol set or station clear function selection either by the manual function selector switches 41 and 43 of the remote control system, or by a distant control station, not shown through inter-connecting cables 49 and 51. Inasmuch as one terminal of relay 44 coil is connected to common conductor 102 by conductor 106, it can be seen that closure of pistol set switch 41 will energize the relay by completing the circuit from the other coil terminal to the DC. conductor 1011 through switch 41, conductor 107, and contacts d-e of stepping switch 53 which will be closed when the stepping switch is on its home position. Closure of erase set switch 42 energizes relay 45 by placing the relay coil thereof across the DC. potential leads 101 and 102 through conductor 108, switch 42, normally closed-c011 tacts hof relay 46, conductor 109, normally closed contacts ab of relay 44, conductor 110, and contacts c-d of stepping switch 53, which may be assumed closed for purpose of explanation. Closure of station clear set switch 43 energizes relay 46 by placing the relay coil thereof across the DC. potential leads 101 and 102 through conductor 111, switch 43, conductor 112, normally closed contacts ef of relay 45, conductor 109, normally closed contacts a-b of relay 44, conductor 110, and contacts 'c-d of stepping switch 53, which may be assumed closed for purpose of explanation. By recalling the above described selection operation of the function i and stepping switch 53'is on its Home position with Otf- Normal contacts'd-e closed. Erase setting cannot be initiated if either relay 44 or-46 is energizedbecause, energizing either relay prevents placing of relay 45 coil thereof across the D.C.'potential source by interrupting the circuit from the coil to the'D.C. potential lead 101 either by the opening of contacts a-b of the former relay or contacts h-- of the latter relay. Station clear setting cannot be initiated if either relay 44 or 45 is energized because energizing either relay prevents placing the coil of relay 46 across the DC. potential source by interrupting the circuit from the'coil to the DC. potential lead 101 either by opening contacts a-b of the former relay or 'by opening contacts e-f of the latter relay.

The depth charge pistol 2 is electrically connected to the remote control station by self-disconnecting connectors 37, and contains a rotary solenoid 55 adapted to step one position for each pulse received, thereby rotating an indexing wheel to an actuating posit-ion corresponding to the depth selected on the depth setting selector switch 6. The first received pulse steps the indexing wheel from a dud or unarmed position to an influence only position whereby the pistol is responsive to a target influence signal alone. Additional pulses will step the indexing wheel to various depth actuating positions. Each time the pistol solenoid 55 iactuates, it opens a pair of normally closed contacts 56 within the pistol 2. Such a pistol is disclosed in the co pending application of Marcel E. Gres, Serial Number 418,414, filed March 24, 1954.

' switches 62 and 63, and their associated circuitries. Pulse and interlock control circuit 4, the explanation of the interlocking'function will be facilitated. Pistol setting cannot be' initiated unless the system has been cleared counting stepping switch 52 includes Off-Normal contacts a-band c-d, normally open, and a pair of decks or banks, 64 and 65, each deck having thirty three stationary contacts including a Home, or initial contact, and thirty two moved cont-acts. Centrally arranged on each deck are ganged wiper arms 66 and 67 adapted to be rotated by energizing of the stepping switch to sequentially engage each of the stationary contacts. The Oil- Normal contacts are adapted to be mechanically closed when the stepping switch wipers are oif their initial, or Home, contacts. All the contacts of deck 64, except the Home contact, are electrically interconnected by common conductor 113, one end of which is connected to the pulsing lead 103 through a spark suppressor circuit consisting ofresistor 68 and condenser 69, the other end being connected to the commonlead 102 through stepping switch 52 coil and switch'operational adjusting resistor 71. The contacts of deck 65, excepting the one corresponding to the Home contact of deck 64, are in dividually connected to the contacts of pulse setting circuits 14A and 14B by conductors 1 through 32 of cable 38. Transmitted indicator'stepping switch 53 includes a plurality of GIT-Normal contacts a-b andc-d-e, the latter being part of the function and interlock control circuit 4, and a pair of decks 72 and 73, each deck. having thirty three Stationary contacts thereon including a Home contact and thirty two moved contacts, each of said contacts being so disposed ondecks 72 and 73 as to be se- 'quentially engaged by centrally located wiper arms 74 and 75 mechanically ganged for movement in unison. All contacts on deck 72, except the final contact, are electrically interconnected by conductor 114, which conductor is detachably connected to one terminal of the pistol rotary solenoid v55 through output adjusting resistor 76. All contacts on deck 73, except the final contact, are individually connected to panel indicator lamps 77, which lamps are adapted to be individually energized upon being placed across the AC. voltage leads 104 and 105 through wiper arm 75 thereby to visually indicate the setting connectedresistor 78 and condenser 79, and a switch ad- The transmitter and indicator circuit 3 comprises a plurality of stepping switches, or step switching relays,

justing resistor 81 for insuring proper operation of stepping switch 53 with the pulse power supply used. Received indicator stepping switch 54 includes normally open Oif-Normal contacts ab, self-interrupting contacts 82, an associated spark suppressor circuit having series connected resistor 83 and condenser 84, and deck 85 having disposed thereon thirty three stationary contacts,ineluding one Home and thirty two moved contacts. All contacts, except the final contact, are individually connected to panel indicator lamps 86, which lamps are adapted to be individually energized upon being placed across the A.C. voltage leads 104 and 105 through wiper arm 87 thereby to visually indicate the setting received by the pistol. An In-Out switch 62 is provided to allow for use or non-use of the received setting selector switch 54. Starting relay 57 includes normally closed contacts a-b and contacts c-d-e, normally closed across cd. Normally closed contacts cd provides a charging circuit for condenser 89 across the DC. potential leads 101 and 102 through current limiting resistor $3, and closure of normally open contacts d-e provides a discharge path for condenser 89 through the coil of relay 58.

Contacts a-b of relay 57, and associated leads 115 and 116, serve to energize or de-energize the pistol setting selector circuit 1 by completing or interrupting the circuit to the positive DC potential lead 101. Trip relay 58, adapted to be energized for about 0-2 seconds by the discharge of condenser 89, consists of normally open contacts a-b, which contacts upon being momentarily closed place the coil of stepping switch 52 momentarily across the pulsing potential leads 103 and 102 thereby enabling the stepping switch 52 to step oh its initial, or Home contact. Cut-oif relay 59 comprising normally closed contacts a-b and normally open contacts cd is adaptable to be energized when the wiper 67 of deck 65 engages the contact corresponding to that of circuit selector switches 12A and 12B whereupon pulse transmission is cut 01f to subsequent circuits of the remote control system and pistol receiver 2 by the opening of contacts a-b. Contact d is connected by cable 124 to wiper arms 21A and 21B of impulse control circuits 14A and 14B. Reset relay 61 consists of normally closed contacts ab, normally open contacts c-d, and double throw switch e-f-g normally closed across contacts e-f. Energizing of reset relay 61, either by closure of erase switch 42, station clear switch 43, or received indicator reset switch 63 causes the received indicator stepping switch 54 to be reset at the same time that transmitter indicator stepping switch 53 is being reset.

As shown on FIG. 2B, one terminal of all relays and I stepping switches is directly connected to the common lead 102, with the exception of stepping switch 54, whose connection to the common lead is made through normally closed contacts ab of relay 61, therefore in order to energize these components it is only necessary to complete the circuit from the other terminal to a source of potential.

To facilitate understanding of the remote control system of the instant invention, a typical operational sequence will now be described.

To insure proper operation of the remote control systern, resistors 71 and 81 should be initially adjusted for uniform stepping of stepping switches 52 and 53 with a minimum of current flow through the switch coils thereby preventing excessive loading of the several contacts which carry this current. Proper adjustment of re sistors 71 and 81 is indicated by agreement of the wiper arm positions on stepping switches 52 and 53. Resistor 76 is also initially adjusted for singular stepping of solenoid 55 of the pistol 2 for each output pulse of the remote control system.

To initiate the pistol setting function of the remote control system, pistol setting selector switch 6 is manually rotated and positioned on a selected one of the thirty two contacts arranged on decks 8A and 8B. Selection of 6 contact 1 results in the transmission of a single pulse to the pistol receiver, of contact 2, two pulses, and so on up to thirty two pulses.

For illustrative purposes let it be assmued that the setting for a prior pistol connected to the control system was that corresponding to contact 24 and the system has been cleared and is in the condition as shown on FIG. 2, and that a pistol setting corresponding to contact 20 is selected for a presently connected pistol. The positioning of ganged wiper arms 9A and 9B on contacts 20 of decks 8A and 8B completes the circuit from the con-tacts to the DC. potential lead 101 through lead 115, normally closed contacts a-b, of relay 57, and lead 116, thereby energizing contact 13 of energizing circuit 15A through conductor 20 of cable 33A and contact 17 of energizing circuit 15B through common conductor '17 of cable 333. Energizing of contact 13 of circuit 15A and contact 17 of circuit 15B serves to energize contact 13 of circuit 13A and contact 17 of circuit 13B. Due to the relative positioning of rotor blades 24A, 24B, 25A, and 25B, only one blade will be in engagement with an energized contact, whereupon only the corresponding rotary solenoid will be actuated.

A shown on FIG. 2A, rotor blade 25A is engaging energized contact 13 of circuit 15A, whereupon rotary solenoid 27A is actuated by being placed across the DC. potential leads 101 and 102 through conductor 36A and self-interrupting contacts 28. Actuation of rotary solenoid 27A causes it to engage shaft 23A and to ro tate the shaft under self-interruption until rotor blade 25A no longer engages energized contact 13, whereupon wiper arm 21A of pulse selector circuit 14A will be engaging contact position 13.

To initiate transmission of the selected setting to the pistol, pistol set switch 41 is closed and interlock relay 44 is energized, provided station selector switch 47 is in the Manual position, as shown in FIG. 2B. Energizing of relay 44 closes contacts c-d and energizes starting relay 57, by placing the relay coil thereof across the DC. potential leads through conductors 117 and 107, and stepping switch 54 by placing its coil across the DC. potential leads through conductors 117, 107 and normally closed contacts ef of relay 61. Energizing of relay 57 opens contacts a-b thereby locking the position of impulse control circuits 14A and 14B by removing the DC. potential normally applied to the pistol setting selector circuit. Opening of contacts c-a' interrupts the charging path of condenser 39. Closure of contacts d-e provides a discharge path for condenser 89 through the coil of trip relay 58 thereby energizing it momentarily. The momentary energizing of trip relay 58 closes contacts a-b thereof and places pulse counter stepping switch 52 coil across the pulse supply leads thereby allowing the stepping switch to step off its Home contact and onto the first moved contact. After stepping switch 52 has stepped oif its Home contact, the Git-Normal contacts contacts a-b and cd thereof are mechanically actuated and closed, remaining closed until the stepping switch completes its cycle, i.e. one revolution of 33 steps. Although relay 58 immediately de-energizes thereby interrupting the pulsing supply path through re-opened contacts a-b, stepping switch 52 continues stepping because its coil is now across the pulsing supply through a circuit comprising lead 113, wiper 66 and contact a. During the cycling period of stepping switch 52, closed Off-Normal contacts a-b hold relays 44 and 57 energized by maintaining their coils across the DC. voltage supply leads until the stepping switch 52 returns to its initial Home contact.

In addition, actuation of the Off-Normal contacts of stepping switch 52 also energizes transmitted indicator stepping switch 53 by placing its coil across the pulsating D.C. supply through a circuit comprising closed Off- Normal contacts c-d, lead 118, closed contacts ab of relay 59, lead 119, closed contacts c-d of relay 45, lead 120, closed contacts e) of relay 46, and lead 122. Pistol solenoid 55 is also energized through substantially the same circuit except that closed contact-s cd of relay 46, deck 72, and leads 123 and 114 are utilized. Counter stepping switch 52 continues stepping since the coil thereof is kept across the pulsating D.C. supply by the commonly connected stationary contacts of deck 64 until ganged wiper arm 67 reaches the contact on deck 65 corresponding to the engaged contact of impulse control circuits 14A and 143. Under the conditions assumed for illustrative purposes, selector switch 52 will step twenty times and allow the transmission of twenty pulses to switch 53 and pistol solenoid 55 whereupon wiper 67 engages contact 20 which is connected by conductor 20 of cable 38 to contact 13 of impulse control circuit 14A. Engagement of wiper 67 with contact 20 momentarily energizes cut-ofi relay 59 by placing its coil across the DC. voltage supply through a circuit comprising, lead 124, wiper 21A, contact 13, lead 20 of cable 38, wiper 67, lead 130, contacts a-b of relay 45, and lead 131. Energizing of relay 59 opens contacts a-b thereof and cuts off the pulse transmission to subsequent circuits of the control system, and to the pistol 2, by interrupting the circuit to contacts C-d of stepping switch 52 and the pulsing supply lead 103. The closure of contacts c-d of relay 59 holds cut-off relay 59 energized until pulse counter stepping switch 52 completes its cycle over the moved contacts and the wipers 66 and 67 return to their initial Home contact whereupon Off-Normal contacts a-b and cd are reopened.

While stepping switch 52 is advancing to the contact where wiper arm 67 impinges on the energized contact of deck 65, transmitted indicator stepping switch 53 and pistol solenoid 55 are in parallel with the counter stepping switch 52 across the pulse supply leads and step in phase with it. Inasmuchas wipers 74 and 75 of stepping switch 53 step in phase with wipers 66 and 67 of stepping switch 52, interruption of pulse. transmission, by engagement of wiper 67 with the energized contact on deck 65 will leave wiper 75 in engagement with the lamp indicator circuit corresponding to the setting initially selected on the pistol setting selector switch 6 because the indicator lamp 77 will be across the A.-C. voltage supply through wiper 75 and leads 104 and 105. In addition, for each operation of pistol solenoid 55, a pair of normally closed contacts a-b associated therewith momentarily open and advances received setting stepping switch 54 by interrupting the coil circuit across the DC). voltage source, which circuit comprises leads 102, 125, 126, 127, 117, closed pistol 2 contacts a-b, closed contacts a-b and e-f of relay 61, and closed switch 62. Since switch 54 steps each time pistol contacts a-b open, wiper 87 will sequentially engage the contacts on deck 85 until the contact openings a-b of solenoid 55, cease, whereupon wiper 87 will be left engaging the received indicator circuit corresponding to the setting received by the pistol 2. The sequential stepping of wiper arm 87 across the contacts of deck 85 will sequentially energize each received lamp 86, since a circuitacross the AC. voltage source is etfected through leads 104, 105, wiper arm 87 and switch 62, until its movement ceases and maintains the received indicator circuit energized which corresponds to the setting received by the pistol 2. Inasmuch as stepping switch 54 is operated by interruption of normally closed pistol contacts a-b, this switch steps one more time than stepping switch 53 since it steps once for each action of pistol solenoid 55 and an additional step upon the re-opening of Olf- Normal contacts ab of stepping switch 52 upon completion of its cycle. 7

When a pistol setting, other than influence which corresponds to contact 1 on the selector switch 6, has been transmitted to the pistol 2, the control system must be cleared of the setting prior to the transmission of a subsequent setting. The system clearing is accomplished by either the erase or station clear function feature of the system, the selection of which is dependent" upon whether it is desired to transmit a subsequent setting to a pistol to which a prior setting has already been transmitted, or whether to prepare the remote control system for operation with a subsequent pistol. Since the usual operation sequence will consist of pistol setting transmissions to successive depth charge pistols, the station clear function will be described first.

To initiate the station clearing operation, station clear switch 43 is manually closed whereupon interlock relay 46 will be energized provided interlock relays 44 and 45 are not energized and a setting other than influence only has been transmitted, whereby stepping switch 53 has been energized to step off its Home contact and Oil- Normal contacts c-d thereof closed. Energizing relay 46 closes contacts ''k which hold the relay energized until the clearing function is completed by keeping the relay coil across the D.C. voltage source through a circuit comprising, closed contacts j-k, lead 109, closed contacts a-b of relay 44, lead 110, closed Off-Normal contacts 0-03 of stepping switch 53. Opening of contacts 0-0? of relay 46 prevents transmission of additional pulses to the pistol solenoid 55 in the event the depth charge pistol is still connected to the remote control system throughself-disconnecting connectors 37; by interrupting the circuit to the pistol solenoid 55 across the pulsing supply leads.

The opening of contacts h-j of relay 46 prevents relay 45 from being energized. The opening of contacts ef enables stepping switch 53 to stop upon completion of its cycle, since all current flow to the stepping switch coil now passes through closed contacts gof relay 46 and closed Ofif-Normal contacts a-b of stepping switch 53, which contacts are opened upon return of the stepping switch to its Home contact. Return of stepping switch 53 to its Home contact de-energizes the stepping switch by opening of Oil-Normal contacts a-b thereof and also de-energizes interlock relay 46 by opening of Olf- Normal contacts c-d. When used, received setting indicator stepping switch 54 may be reset simultaneously with transmitted setting indicator stepping switch 53 during the station clearing function since energizing of relay 46 closes contact a-b thereof thereby placing the coil of relay 61 across the DC. potential source through conductor 128. Energizing of reset relay 61 opens contacts e-f thereof and disconnects the stepping switch 54 from the erase and depth set functions. Contacts f-g close and place one end of the stepping switch 54 across the DC. voltage source through conductor 128. The closure of contacts c-d connects the other end of the stepping switch 54 coil to the common lead 102 through conductor 129, self-interrupter contacts 82, and closed Off-Normal contacts a-b whereupon stepping switch 54 will continue its cycle under self-interrupting conditions until the wiper 87 returns to the Home contact and Off-Normal contacts ab are reopened and the circuit across the DC. source interrupted. Energizing of reset relay 61 opens contacts a-b thereby disconnecting the stepping switch 54 from the pistol in the event it is still connected. Reset relay 61 remains energized until interlock relay 46 is released by release of station clear switch 43 and by reopening of Oif-No-rmal contacts cd of stepping switch 53.

Although received indicator stepping switch 54 is reset automatically during station clearing, it can be reset at any other time by manual closure of reset switch 63 which energizes reset relay 61 and results in the same stepping switch 54 reset operation as when the station clear function is actuated. Reset relay 61 remains energized until the reset switch 63 is released.

In the event thatoperational requirements necessitate the transmission of a subsequent pistol setting to a pistol to which afsettin'g has already been transmitted, the erase function of the remote control systemis utilized. To

thereof and etnergizes relay 57 whereupon subsequent system operation identical to that existing during the pistol setting operation will result except that cut-oft relay 59 is prevented from being energized by the opening of contacts a-b of relay 45. Cut-off relay 59 being maintained unenergized, transmission of pulses to subsequent circuits is continued through closed contacts ab of relay 59. The opening of relay 45 contacts c-d enables the transmitted indicator stepping switch 53 to step through its Ofi-Normal contacts ab until it reaches its Home contact from the pulses reaching the coil thereof through a circuit comprising lead 113, closed Oil-Normal con tacts c-d of stepping switch 52, lead 118, closed contacts ab of relay 59 and Oil-Normal contacts ab of stepping switch 53 which remain closed until the switch returns to its Home position. The transmission of erase pulses to the pistol solenoid 55 is effected through a circuit including lead 114, deck 72, wiper 74, lead 123, closed contacts c-d of relay 46, lead 122, closed Oli- Normal contacts ab of stepping switch 53, lead 119, closed contacts ab of relay 59, lead 118, closed Off-Normal contacts c-d of stepping switch 52, and lead 103. Inasmuch as pulse transmission to the pistol is effected through the Off-Normal contacts ab of switch 53, transmission is interrupted upon return of the stepping switch 53 to its Home contact. As may be expected, activation of pistol solenoid 55 also tends to advance stepping switch 54 thereby providing an indication of whether the pistol setting has been erased and the pistol is prepared to receive a subsequent setting. The total number of complementary pulses required for erasing depends upon the number of pulses transmitted during the prior pistol set function and in all cases will total thirty-two. Since stepping switch 53 requires a total of 33 pulses and the pistol solenoid 55 only 32 pulses, pulses to the pistol are sent through all contacts of deck 72, except the thirty-second contact of deck 72 which is not connected to the pistol. When stepping switch 52 returns to its Home contact, its Oil-Normal contacts c-d open and relays 45 and 57, and stepping switch 54 are de-energized was in depth setting. Both the pistol set and erase set operations of the remote control system are accomplishable in approximately 1.2 seconds.

It is to be understood that although the invention has been described as utilizing a received setting indicator circuit, including stepping switch 54, self-interrupter contacts 82, indicator lights 86, etc. this circuit is primarily used to indicate the operation of the pistol and is not essential for the operation of the remote control system of this invention as indicated by the inclusion of the In-Out switch 62.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that wihtin the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A depth charge remote control station for presetting the depth of the firing operation of an impulse responsive depth charge pistol comprising, in combination, impulse and potential generating means, an impulse selector circuit connected to said generating means for controlling the number of pre-setting impulses to be transmitted to the piston, and transmitting and indicating circuit means connected'to said generating means and between said selector cricuit and the pistol, said circuit means including a normally open switch for initiating impulse transmission upon closure thereof, a normally unactuated first relay connected to said switch and being actuable upon closure thereof, a normally unactuated second relay and a normally unenergized first stepping switch connected to said first relay, said second relay and said first stepping switch respectively being actuated and energized upon actuation of said first relay, a normally unactuated third relay connected to said second relay, said third relay being momentarily actuated upon energizing of said second relay, a normally unenergized second stepping switch connected to said third relay and selectively connected to said impulse selector circuit, said second stepping switch being energized upon actuation of said third relay for movement from an initial position to a succession of moved positions, said movement being controlled by said selective connection of said impulse selector circuit to one of said moved positions, said second stepping switch including circuit means for holding said first relay and said second relay actuated until said second stepping switch returns to its initial position, a normally unenergized third stepping switch connected to said second stepping switch being energized upon energizing of said second stepping switch, said third stepping switch moving in unison with said second stepping switch from an initial position to a succession of moved positions upon being energized, said third stepping switch including detachable circuit means connected to the pistol, and a normally unactuated fourth relay interposed between said second stepping switch and said third stepping switch, said fourth relay being actuated upon movement of said second stepping switch to a moved position having a discrete connection with said impulse selector circuit.

2. A remote control station for pre-setting the operational characteristics of an impulse settable device comprising circuit means for generating a continual series of electrical impulses, multiple position selector means settable to one of a plurality of positions corresponding to a preselected operational characteristic of the device, multiple position circuit switching means actuable to effect closure of one of said circuit switching means corresponding to the set position of said multiple position selector means, impulse transmission circuit means inter-coupling said generating means and the device, and including an initially unenergized first stepping switch relay coupled to said multiple position circuit switching means and upon being energized operable from an initial position to one of a plurality of moved positions corresponding to the closed one of said circuit switching means thereby to govern the number of setting impulses being transmitted to the device, first manually actuated circuit means for selectively energizing said first stepping switch relay, a second stepping switch relay connected to and jointly operable with said first stepping switch relay from an initial position to the one of a plurality of moved positions indicative of the number of setting impulses being transmitted, electrical means connected to said second stepping switch and responsive to the operation of said second stepping switch to said one moved position for visually indicating the number of transmitted impulses, cutoff circuit switcing means connected to said first stepping switch relay and responsive to the operation of the first stepping switch relay to said one position for interrupting transmission of setting impulses to the device, means for eifecting continued operation of said first stepping switch relay from the moved position thereof to its initial position, and second manually actuated circuit means for effecting continued operation of said second stepping switch relay from the moved position thereof to its initial position.

3. A remote control station according to claim 2, and including a third stepping switch relay operable from an initial position to one of a plurality or moved positions corresponding to the number of impulses received by the device, and circuit means connected to said third stepping switching relay and responsive to the operation of the third stepping switch relay to the said one moved position thereof for visually indicating the number of setting impulses received by the device.

4. A remote control station according to claim 3, and including third manually actuated circuit means for efiecting transmission of a predetermined number of set- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,312,491 3 43 'Sieivert 340-206 12 2,335,755 11/43 Haddad 340163 2,409,720 10/46 Place 340-163 2,424,696 7/47 Judge 340349 2 ,730,698 1/56 SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner.

CHESTER L. JUSTUS, FREDERICK M. STRADER, 1 Examiners.

Daniels a 340-206 l t l l 

1. A DEPTH CHARGE REMOTE CONTROL STATION FOR PRESETTING THE DEPTH OF THE FIRING OPERATION OF AN IMPULSE RESPONSIVE DEPTH CHARGE PISTOL COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, IMPULSE AND POTENTIAL GENERATING MEANS, AND IMPULSE SELECTOR CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID GENERATING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE NUMBER OF PRE-SETTING IMPULSES TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PISTON, AND TRANSMITTING AND INDICATING CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID GENERATING MEANS AND BETWEEN SAID SELECTOR CIRCUIT AND THE PISTON, SAID CIRCUIT MEANS INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH FOR INITIATING IMPULSE TRANSMISSION UPON CLOSURE THEREOF, A NORMALLY UNACTUATED FIRST RELAY CONNECTED TO SAID SWITCH AND BEING ACTUABLE UPON CLOSURE THEREOF, A NORMALLY UNACTUATED SECOND RELAY AND A NORMALLY UNERERGIZED FIRST STEPPING SWITCH CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST RELAY, SAID SECOND RELAY AND SAID FIRST STEPPING SWITCH RESPECTIVELY BEING ACTUATED AND ENERGIZED UPON ACTUATION OF SAID FIRST RELAY, A NORMALLY UNACTUATED THIRS RELAY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND RELAY, SAID THIRD RELAY BEING MOMENTARILY ACTUATED UPON ENERGIZING OF SAID SECOND RELAY, A NORMALLY UNENERGIZED SECOND STEPPING SWITCH CONNECTED TO SAID THIRD RELAY AND SELECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID IMPULSE SELECTOR CIRCUIT, SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH BEING ENERGIZED UPON ACTUATION OF SAID THIRD RELAY FOR MOVEMENT FROM A INITIAL POSITION TO A SUCCESSION OF MOVED POSITIONS, SAID MOVEMENT BEING CONTROLLED BY SAID SELECTIVE CONNECTION OF SAID IMPULSE SELECTOR CIRCUIT TO ONE OF SAID MOVED POSITIONS, SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH INCLUDING CIRCUIT MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID FIRST RELAY AND SAID SECOND RELAY ACTUATED UNTIL SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH RETURNS TO ITS INITIAL POSITION, A NORMALLY UNENERGIZED THIRD STEPPING SWITCH CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH BEING ENERGIZED UPON ENERGIZING OF SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH, SAID THIRD STEPPING SWITCH MOVING IN UNISON WITH SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH FROM AN INITIAL POSITION TO A SUCCESSION OF MOVED POSITIONS UPON BEING ENERGIZED, SAID THIRD STEPPING SWITCH INCLUDING DETACHABLE CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO THE PISTOL, AND A NORMALLY UNACTUATED FOURTH RELAY INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH AND SAID THIRD STEPPING SWITCH, SAID FOURTH RELAY BEING ACTUATED UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND STEPPING SWITCH TO A MOVED POSITION HAVING A DISCRETE CONNECTION WITH SAID IMPULSE SELECTOR CIRCUIT. 